D is for Duck

A joy of a book, from first endpaper storytelling to final endpaper! A book to read and laugh over again and again… and again. The author/illustrator Melling, of Hugless Douglas fame, has such a magical touch in his illustrations, with the text simply labelling in turn each letter of the alphabet. After an initial read, we realise the story begins with the 12 drawings of Duck on the first endpaper. Cocoa in hand, off to bed… then awakening, his magic ABRACADABRA wand in hand… one egg, two; and off marches Duck into the book proper. I is for Insects, J for Jungle, followed by King Lion, who terrifies the Bunny, Chicken, Duck, Egg-hatchling, Fox and Goat. The illustrations are hilarious, constantly surprising magician Duck. When we reach P,Q, R, … Panic, Quick (Quack) Run! (It’s a Dragon. From whence came he??)  Duck realises he is in charge and orders the dragon to Stop. Wave of wand at dragon, and Tip, Up, Vanish.  The tale ends with an enigmatic picture of Duck with another 14 look-alikes. How can we spot our Duck? By his twirly moustache of course; every magician has a twirly moustache. Where would one place such a moustache on a duck? Not under his Tommy Cooper fez or his blue cape! This is a book to enjoy repeatedly until it is known by heart, with the illustrations seared upon one’s brain! Duck is an endearing character, and will be loved by all. It flies to the top of my collection of alphabet books, with no exceptions! Find it!